Smackdown!

Columbus, Ohio
April 1, 2004

THE GREAT AMERICAN AWARD - Click here to vote

Like him or not, there are few Superstars in WWE who stand for American values the way SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle does. On SmackDown!, Angle spent his second week as GM trying to instill a slice of Americana into the program he is charged with bringing to a new level of success.

It is called the Kurt Angle Great American Award, and not only will it go the individual who, according to Angle, "exemplifies what a role model and hero should be," but Angle is seeking feedback from WWE fans as to who should be the winner. The winner not only gets the respect of Angle and a tremendous trophy, but more importantly, the winner will be the No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship. WWE fans may vote for one of the five contenders on WWE.com until midnight on Monday, with the winner being announced on SmackDown! next week. Click here to vote

Four of the nominees were decided upon via in-ring competition, with the Big Show, Charlie Haas, Booker T and John Cena winning their Nomination Matches. The fifth, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, was entered into the mix by order of Angle.

The man most impacted by the creation of the Great American Award is Guerrero himself, who showed on SmackDown! that he will be in top form no matter who is the No. 1 Contender. One week after falling victim to a vicious attack from Bradshaw, Guerrero had a chance to confront Bradshaw and gain a measure of revenge. While Bradshaw proclaimed that last week's antics were not personal but, "just business," Guerrero decided to make it personal by engaging in what was nothing short of a hostile takeover. After the two had words, Guerrero chased Bradshaw into the custom limo Bradshaw purchased and snared his $1,000, 10-gallon hat.

And Guerrero was not finished there. The WWE Champion decided to bring fan participation to a whole new level and attempt to prove that the hat really held 10 gallons when he allowed fans at ringside to dump their concessions into Bradshaw's hat! The result was quite a mess for Bradshaw as his prized possession was left in ruins in the middle of the ring. Guerrero has made their rivalry personal ... what will Bradshaw have planned next?

Next week on SmackDown!, the winner of the Kurt Angle Great American Award and new No. 1 Contender will be revealed. Who will win the award and be the next to challenge Eddie Guerrero? Cast your vote today and watch SmackDown! next week at 8/7 CT on UPN to find out!

Match Results:

The Big Show defeated Rikishi in a Nomination Match

Rey Mysterio & Spike Dudley defeated Chavo Guerrero Sr. & Chavo Guerrero

Charlie Haas defeated Rob Van Dam in a Nomination Match

Booker T defeated Hardcore Holly in a Nomination Match

The Dudley Boyz defeated Akio & Sakoda

John Cena defeated the FBI in a Handicap Nomination Match